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Today (Thursday 3 December) marks International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) a time for us to focus on supporting and celebrating the individuals we serve.
Over a billion people globally live with some form of disability. That corresponds to about 15% of the world’s population (Source: World Health Organisation).
In Australia, the statistics for people living with disability are higher, with 18.3% of the population (4.3 million people) estimated to have disability.
WorkAbility Qld supports the 2020 theme for IDPwD is ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’. We understand that not all disabilities are immediately apparent; such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.
The Community Services Industry workforce supports people with disabilities.
Our work here in Queensland is to strengthen the workforce in order to support the one in five people living with disability across the state, and 55,000 people receiving NDIS-funded services.
We do this through delivery of statewide workforce strategy, innovation and project partnerships with disability service providers.
In 2020 WorkAbility Qld released six NDIS Workforce Research Reports, for Townsville, Mackay, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Brisbane North, and Brisbane South. This set of reports captures what disability looks for each region as well as the impacts of the NDIS since its rollout across the state in 2016.
Research addresses NDIS workforce gaps, trends and needs and provides future Industry recommendations. To download the reports, click here.
For Phase Two of the project, which is set to commence early 2021, WorkAbility Qld is calling on disability providers across Queensland to help deliver more achievements for the sector.
Organisations can play a key role in leading workforce innovation by taking part in action research case studies.
Action research case studies will focus towards recommendations and priorities that emerged from the first phase of the research project and focus on success factors and opportunities to replicate in other areas.
Action Research Case Studies to get involved with include:
Allied Health Assistants Case Study
This action research case study works with service providers and/or Allied Health Professionals who have implemented Allied Health Assistants roles.
We aims to capture the working model and key success factors to trial and implement in other regions.
Traineeship Success Factors
This action research case study will work with NDIS employers to co-design a model for customised traineeship for a casual NDIS workforce.
If you are a provider help make 2021 the year to build further achievements for the disability workforce.
To register your expression of interest as a provider for one of the action research studies please contact CSIA Manager General Programs Matthew Gillett on [email protected]
For more information about International Day of People with Disability visit https://www.idpwd.com.au/
